ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite spirit portrait of “Herbert Wilson and his intended”], Mains James Riley, Von Hasseln via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite spirit portrait of “Herbert Wilson and his intended”], Mains James Riley, Von Hasseln

via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1860-80’s, [hand tinted tintype portrait of a freckled pastor or minister with a cross] via Ebay

ca. 1860-80’s, [hand tinted tintype portrait of a freckled pastor or minister with a cross]

via Ebay

ca. 1865-1910, [tintype portrait of a couple seated in front of a paper moon] via Harvard University Art Museums, Fogg Museum

ca. 1865-1910, [tintype portrait of a couple seated in front of a paper moon]

via Harvard University Art Museums, Fogg Museum

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a gentleman with flowers] via Jeffery Kraus Antique Photographics, Daguerreotype Collection

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a gentleman with flowers]

via Jeffery Kraus Antique Photographics, Daguerreotype Collection

ca. 1900, [portrait of Lilla and Cornelius C. Kenney], Halifax Photographic Company via Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute

ca. 1900, [portrait of Lilla and Cornelius C. Kenney], Halifax Photographic Company

via Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of a Chinese man holding a flower], William Shew via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of a Chinese man holding a flower], William Shew

via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1875, [albumen portrait of a smiling couple] via Luminous Lint, courtesy of Larry Gotheim of Be-Hold

ca. 1875, [albumen portrait of a smiling couple]

via Luminous Lint, courtesy of Larry Gotheim of Be-Hold

ca. 1870, “The Downs By Moonlight”, [carte de visite portrait of a couple by moonlit waters] via Ordinary Light

ca. 1870, “The Downs By Moonlight”, [carte de visite portrait of a couple by moonlit waters]

via Ordinary Light

ca. 1900, [portrait of Lilla and Cornelius Cook Kenney] via Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute

ca. 1900, [portrait of Lilla and Cornelius Cook Kenney]

via Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite portrait of a dashing General Ulysses S. Grant], Matthew Brady via Ebay Auctions

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite portrait of a dashing General Ulysses S. Grant], Matthew Brady

via Ebay Auctions

ca. 1903, [tintype portrait of several women, one with a scratched out face, and two gentleman. Handwritten on verso: “Someone is in love.”] via Ebay Auctions

ca. 1903, [tintype portrait of several women, one with a scratched out face, and two gentleman. Handwritten on verso: “Someone is in love.”]

via Ebay Auctions

ca. 1850, [daguerreotype portrait of a woman with love token and daguerreotype] via the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Photography Collection

ca. 1850, [daguerreotype portrait of a woman with love token and daguerreotype]

via the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Photography Collection

c. 1900, [portrait of a couple in front of a paper moon] via Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Department of Photographs

c. 1900, [portrait of a couple in front of a paper moon]

via Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Department of Photographs

ca. 1845, [portrait of a gentleman holding his dead wife] via Exposures: Photography and Death, Audrey Linkman

ca. 1845, [portrait of a gentleman holding his dead wife]

via Exposures: Photography and Death, Audrey Linkman

ca. 1852, “Bank of True Love”, L.N. Rosenthal via the Library Company of Philadelphia, Comic Valentine Collection

ca. 1852, “Bank of True Love”, L.N. Rosenthal

via the Library Company of Philadelphia, Comic Valentine Collection

"Until the handkerchief of history covers us with its Times New Roman black and white post script..."

This blog is a collection of vernacular photography and ephemera focused mainly within the curious and often misunderstood realm of 19th century America. I have a soft spot for all things silly, antiquated, macabre, and grotesque. The content is from a variety of collections; public, academic, and private. In addition, there's an occasional emphasis on Ulysses S Grant and the Civil War, as well.

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Browse by Photograph Type: Tintypes, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Carte de visites, Albumen prints, Cabinet cards, Silver prints

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My Other Blogs & Websites: Heck Yes, Americana - Fuck Yeah, American Art - Decorative Indulgences - Frowzy Indulgences - Etsy